Cancellations due to Inclement Weather:

• All classes/programs starting before noon are canceled when Fairfax County schools close for the day.
• For classes/programs starting at noon or later, a decision will be made by 10 a.m. that day.
• When Fairfax County schools have a delayed opening, classes will be held as scheduled.
• Recreation facilities (Sherwood Center, Green Acres, Old Town Hall, Historic Blenheim) operated by the City will follow City government closures.
• On weekends or other times school is not in session, cancellation decisions will be made by 8 a.m. each day and posted on the City’s website and departments social media pages.
• All classes/programs and gym rentals held in FCPS facilities will follow FCPS closings.

Please check the City website at www.fairfaxva.gov for specifics information on all delays, early dismissals and closings.  You may also check the website for Fairfax County school information: www.fcps.edu.

The City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department continuously strives to provide our customers with high-quality programs, activities, facilities and special events. We are confident you will be happy with our services and we guarantee your satisfaction. This guarantee is based on fulfilling our promise to you. If you are not satisfied, we would appreciate your comments, ideas or suggestions. 

The City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department will make reasonable accommodations in recreation programs to enable participation by an individual with a disability who meets essential eligibility requirements for that recreation program. The ADA requires that recreation programs offered by City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department be available in the most integrated setting appropriate for each individual.

Introduction

The City of Fairfax is fortunate to have 279 acres in public parklands and over 21 miles of trails for the enjoyment of all. The day-to-day responsibility for having beautiful parks that provide “Amazing Experiences” for individuals and groups that visit them is not only the City’s and the Parks and Recreation Department’s responsibility, but each person’s responsibility. We encourage all of our patrons to always be considerate of other people and to be careful to protect the natural environment and recreation facilities.

In order to assist citizens in maintaining a safe and beautiful park system, the City Council has established the following rules. 

Parks Definition

Parks are defined as designated parks and open space properties owned and maintained by the City. Parks include all facilities and amenities within the specific property site boundaries to include but not limited to, athletic fields, courts, playgrounds, skate parks, trails, open areas, pavilions, site equipment, splashpad, etc. When used herein, the term “Parks” shall mean any or all of the above.

§1.01 Park Hours

All parks, with the exception of Old Town Square, are open from sunrise to sunset unless authorized as a condition of a special use permit as approved by the City Manager or his/her designee. Old Town Square is open at all hours unless otherwise restricted by the City.

§1.02 General Parks and Facility Rules

These rules shall govern all parks, open space and all facilities and amenities within the specific property site boundaries.

1. Activities conducted by Parks users must be orderly and lawful, and not of a nature to incite others to disorder.
2. No person shall fail or refuse to obey any lawful order of an authorized City employee or representative.
3. Persons shall comply with all officially posted signs.
4. Persons entering or remaining on Park property when the Park is closed shall be considered trespassing.
5. No person shall illegally gamble in a Park.
6. The possession, use or discharge or any fireworks, firecrackers or explosive of any kind by any person in any Park is prohibited. 
7. No person shall abuse, deface, damage or remove any City property.
8. No person shall use abusive, threatening or profane language in a Park.
9. All litter and garbage must be placed in proper trash or recycling receptacles or if such receptacles are full, Park patrons are responsible for removing all items to a proper trash or recycling receptacle. No litter or garbage shall be deposited in Park except in proper trash or recycling receptacles.
10. No person shall camp in any manner in a Park without advance written City permission.
11. .All devices that produce sound must be in accordance with Section 38-1 or the Fairfax City Code and as otherwise provided by law.
12. The use, consumption, or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all Parks, with the exception of Old Town Square, when the proper permits have been procured from the City and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and fees have been paid.
13. Begging or soliciting Park users for money, food or other things are prohibited.
14. Urinating or defecating on any Park property except in open permanent or portable bathroom structures is prohibited.
15. The City is not responsible for any property that is damaged, destroyed or lost.
16. All unattended property is presumed to be abandoned and may be removed and/or destroyed by the City.
17. Archery and golfing is prohibited.
18. Policies may be established by the City to regulate play and specific use of Parks.

§1.03 Athletic Facilities

Athletic Facilities are defined as all courts, ball diamonds, rectangular fields, skate parks, and sand volleyball courts owned and/or operated by the City.

1. Use is restricted to areas and times assigned in the approved permit.
2. All organized play requires a permit issued by the City.
   1. Organized play is defined as play by teams which are part of a youth group or team approved by the City.
   2. Organized league play in any park is prohibited unless authorized by the City.
3. Scheduling priority and criteria will be determined by the City.
4. No seasonal and/or permanent signs, banners, pennants or the like may be placed in or on facilities, structures or property without the written consent of the City.
5. Hitting, throwing, or kicking balls into fences is prohibited.
6. Play on natural turf fields is prohibited during wet or inclement conditions.
7. Climbing on buildings, backstops, dugouts, fences, goals, pavilions or any other Park structure not intended for play is prohibited.
8. Field closures shall be at the discretion of the City.
9. For patron safety, only coaches, game officials and players are allowed on playing fields. All others shall stay 15 feet from playing field.
10. Synthetic Turf Fields
    1. Smoking on or within 10 feet of any synthetic turf field is prohibited.
    2. Metal cleats or any item that may puncture the synthetic turf is prohibited.
    3. Fireworks on any synthetic turf fields are prohibited.
    4. Fires or grills on or within 10 feet of any synthetic turf field, is prohibited.
    5. Unauthorized vehicles on synthetic turf fields are prohibited.
11. Failure to abide by limitations of use or sanctioning policies will forfeit the group's opportunity to use the field or facility or to be scheduled for use in the future.

§1.04 Basketball Courts

1. Climbing or hanging on equipment, nets or rims are prohibited.
2. Courts are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, unless otherwise posted by the City.

§1.05 Pavilions

1. Groups or individuals may reserve shelter facilities through the City. Groups or individuals receiving authorization will be issued an official permit. The permit must be available for inspection when using the facility.
2. Unless an official permit is presented by a group or individual, shelter facilities are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
3. Permits for Pavilions are for the Pavilion only.
4. Pavilion permits do not include other Park facilities

§1.06 Skate Park

1. Skate Park is open from 9:00am to sunset.
2. Skating is at the skater’s own risk. The skate park is not directly supervised.
3. The City is not liable for any accident or injury to person or property resulting from the use of the skate park.
4. All skaters must wear protective equipment including a strapped helmet, elbow and knee pads. Sandals and open toe shoes are prohibited.
5. All skaters in the Skate Park must wear shoes at all times.
6. Bicycles, scooters or rollerblades are prohibited in the Skate Park.
7. Be considerate of fellow skaters especially those who are younger and less skilled. Serious injury may result from being hit by a skateboard falling or colliding.
8. Graffiti, vandalism, swearing, smoking, the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs is prohibited in the Skate Park.
9. Glass containers are prohibited in the Skate Park.
10. Please keep the Skate Park looking beautiful. Dispose of all trash.
11. Spectators are not allowed in the Skate Park.
12. Anyone not using the Skate Park in a safe and acceptable manner or abusing the rules of the Skate Park will be removed and not permitted back without approval from the City.
13. Animals are not permitted in the Skate Park at any time.

§1.07 Tennis Courts

1. Tennis courts shall be used only for tennis and pickleball. All other sports are prohibited.
2. All tennis courts are available on a first-come-first-serve basis; except when the City has scheduled events/classes.
3. No permits shall be issued for weekends or after 5pm Monday through Friday.
4. When others are waiting for a court, players shall confine their use of the court to one hour for singles play and one and one-half hours for doubles play.
5. Only soft soled athletic type shoes shall be worn on the courts.
6. Climbing on fences or nets is prohibited.
7. Bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the courts.

§1.08 Trails

 Trails are defined as routes on land with protected status and public access for recreation or transportation purposes such as walking, jogging, hiking, and biking.

1. Pedestrians have the right of way on trails unless otherwise noted.
2. Trail use by groups of 10 persons or more and competitions require written approval from the City.
3. Trail users must stay on designated trails.

§1.09 Business Activities, Soliciting and Advertising in Parks and Facilities

1. Business Activities. No person shall sell or make an offer to sell goods or services or conduct business activities, including but not limited to unauthorized lessons, camps or fitness programs, within a park or facility without the express written permission of the City.
2. Mobile Vending. Mobile vending is not allowed in City Parks, without the express written permission of the City in the form of a mobile vending permit.
3. Solicitation. No person shall solicit monetary or other valuable contributions from others in a park or facility without the express written permission of the City.
4. . Advertisements. No person shall advertise goods, services or events within a Park without the express written permission of the City. For the purposes of this regulation, advertisements include, but are not limited to, the distribution or posting of handbills, flyers, coupons or public announcements or signs mounted on vehicles.
5. Signs. No person shall post signs in a Park without the express written permission of the City.

§1.10 Motor Vehicles and Traffic

1. Speed Limit Where None Is Posted. Where no speed limit is posted, no person shall operate a motor vehicle within a Park at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.
2. Prohibited Vehicles. a. No person shall operate a motorized vehicle within a Park without the express written permission of the City. b. No person shall operate within a Park a farm tractor or other farm machinery or a type of vehicle used primarily for earth-moving operations without the express written permission of the City. c. Paved and gravel surface trails are open to all forms of nonmotorized transportation unless posted otherwise
3. Motorized Wheelchairs and Assistive Devices. Motorized wheelchairs and other motorized assistive devices for mobility impaired persons are permitted in all areas where pedestrian access is permitted, unless otherwise posted by the City. 
4. Traffic Ordinances. The traffic ordinances of the City and all applicable State vehicle laws shall apply to all Park property. In addition, the following regulations shall apply: 
   1. Vehicular traffic and parking is only permitted on designated paved or graveled roadways and parking areas, except as otherwise specifically directed by the City.
   2. All posted traffic signs will be observed.
   3. No person shall change any vehicle parts or repair, grease or wash vehicles on any Park property, except for emergency repair.
5. Parking and Overnight Parking. No person shall park a motor vehicle in areas of a park other than those designated by the City as parking areas. Motor vehicles may not be parked overnight in a park without the express written permission of the City. Motor vehicles left overnight in violation of this regulation may be ticketed and/or towed.

§1.11 Domestic Animals

1.  Dog owners must comply with City leash laws.
2. All animals are prohibited from athletic fields, courts, playground area, playground equipment and Skate Park.
3. No animal excrement or fecal matter shall be left or deposited in any Park except in a proper trash or dog fecal matter receptacle. If none is available, the animal owner must carry it out with them.
4. Horses are prohibited in the Parks or on the trails unless authorized by the City.

§1.12 Fires and Use of Grills

1. All fires within a Park must be confined to safe cooking receptacles (grills).
2. Open pit or surface fires are prohibited.
3. Portable grills are allowed including propane, in designated picnic areas.
4. No person shall leave a fire unattended. No person shall leave a fire without having fully extinguished it.

§1.13 Fishing

Fishing is not permitted in Parks, with the exception of Ashby Pond Conservatory. Persons fishing in a Park shall comply with State game laws and all special conditions established by the City.

§1.14 Ice Skating

No person shall go upon the ice of any body of water in a Park. Ice skating is not permitted in any Park.

§1.15 Protection of Park Property 

1. Construction. No person shall erect or construct any structure of any kind, install or perform any maintenance on any utility, equipment or other device on, below, over or across a Park without the express written permission of the City or in accordance with the terms of an existing easement duly recorded.
2. Encroachments. No person shall in any way alter, damage, remove or deface any facilities, features, vegetation, man-made objects or equipment in a Park; nor erect or store personal property, plant vegetation or deposit debris or refuse in a park as an extension of a use on adjacent property without the express written permission of the City.
3. Historic Artifacts and Man-Made Objects. No person shall damage, disturb or remove any historic artifacts, historic features or other man-made objects from a Park without the express written permission of the City. For the purposes of these regulations, “historic artifacts” are any material remains that give physical evidence of human occupation, habitation, use or activity; and “historic features” include, but are not limited to, walls, fence lines, cellars, fire pits, mill races, trenches, tent platforms, quarries or any other man-made arrangement of materials or trace thereof.
4. Metal Detectors. No person shall use a metal detector or similar device within a Park without the express written permission of the City.
5. Off-Trail Use. No person shall bicycle, skate, ski or ride horses off of established trails, walkways or roadways without the express written permission of the City.
6. Unauthorized Trails. No person shall create any new trails without the express written permission of the City.

§1.16 Remote-Control Devices, Drones and Powered Models or Toys

No person shall operate, hobby rockets, CO2 rockets, remote-control gliders or powered remote-control or tethered planes, boats, cars or other like devices in a Park except in areas designated by and with the express written permission of the City. Any use of privately owned, unmanned aircraft (commonly known as “drones”), together with unmanned aircraft systems, as defined in Code of Virginia Section 19.2-60.1 must at all times be in full compliance with applicable city, state and federal law, and current FAA rules, regulations and guidelines. Such unmanned aircraft may not be flown in park areas that are not open to the public.

§1.17 Rest Rooms and Portable Toilets

1. Harassment and Intimidation. No person shall remain in the vicinity of a rest room or portable toilet in a Park with the intent to harass, intimidate or solicit users of such facility.
2. Inappropriate Behavior. No person shall engage in inappropriate behavior in rest rooms or portable toilets. For the purposes of these regulations, inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to, sexual activity, use of controlled substances, sleeping, loitering, washing clothes, bathing in fountains or washbasins – or any other activities prohibited by law.

§1.18 Restricted Areas

No person shall enter any area in a Park designated and posted as restricted without the express written permission of the City.

§1.19 Swimming

Swimming, bathing and wading are prohibited in bodies of water, to include, but not limited to, streams, rivers, ponds or lake, within or adjacent to a Park without the express written permission of the City.

Old Town Square Interactive Water Feature

Spray pad is open daily Monday through Sunday from 8am to 10pm from April to October.

The spray pad may be turned off periodically without notice.

The spray pad will be closed occasionally for routine maintenance during the operating season.

• Parents shall read all statements on Park signs thoroughly.
• Surface is slippery when wet. Water shoes are highly recommended.
• All children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult.
• Parents: Watch your children carefully!
• Do not drink the water. (It is chemically treated & recirculated.)
• No animals allowed on or near the spray pad.
• Pollution is prohibited. No urination, fecal matter, vomiting, nose blowing or spitting is allowed.
• Interact with the spray pad ONLY if diarrhea free for the past two weeks.
• Diaper-age children or incontinent persons must wear a “swim diaper” with plastic pants.
• No glass containers, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, wagons or strollers allowed.
• no food or drink allowed. • No running or horseplay.
• Appropriate dress must be worn at all times.
• Visitors must use foot shower before entering the spray pad area.
• Keep out of cascade fountain; it is not for recreation.
• Occupancy load for spray pad is 37.
• The City is not liable for any accident or injury to person or property resulting from the use of the spray pad.

§1.18 Voluntary Tobacco and Smoke Free Zones

The City has established “Tobacco and Smoke Free Zones” for playgrounds, skate parks, basketball courts, tennis courts, and sand volleyball courts. This includes the use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and hookah. This initiative will help Parks remain clean and safe outdoor environments for children and their families. The City does not have authority to prohibit smoking in Parks. The City has taken a first step by requesting voluntary compliance to bring awareness to the issue and to begin to address the impacts of tobacco on community health.

§1.19 Wildlife and Habitat Protection

1. Animals. No person or his or her pet shall harass, capture, remove, injure or kill any animal or its young or eggs found in a Park, or disturb the nest, den, burrow, lodge, roost, dam or other structure of any animal found in a Park, or attempt to do so, unless the person possesses a federal or Virginia state permit and has the express written permission of the City.
2. Feeding of Wild Animals. No person shall feed any wild animal within a Park unless such feeding is expressly authorized by the City by a posted sign or in writing.
3. Removal of Plants and Fungi. No person shall remove from a Park any plant or fungus (e.g., mushrooms) or parts thereof including, but not limited to, cuttings, flowers, seeds, berries, nuts or foliage, without the express written permission of the City.
4. Abandonment or Release of Animals. No person shall abandon, release or cause to be released into a Park any animal or other organism without the express written permission of the City.
5. Planting or Release of Seeds or Spores. No person shall plant any plant or release or cause to be released into a Park any plant or fungus seeds or spores without the express written permission of the City.
6. Habitat Preservation. No person shall disturb or modify woodlands, steams, stream banks, meadows, ponds, lakes or other natural areas within a park without the express written permission of the City.
7. Removal of Natural Materials. No person shall remove or use any wood, wood chips, sod, earth, humus, rocks, minerals, fossils, sand, water or any other natural material from a Park without the express written permission of the City

In consideration of the registrant being granted permission by the City of Fairfax, Virginia to participate in this program and associated activities, I hereby release the City of Fairfax, Virginia and its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all liability relating to or arising out of the registrant’s participation. I authorize the City of Fairfax and its officials, employees, agents and volunteers, at any such person’s discretion to administer emergency first aid treatment and at my expense to obtain the services of a physician(s) and/or rescue squad and authorize the same to effect such treatment of the registrant as they deem advisable. Participants in activities sponsored or cosponsored by the Park and Recreation Department consent to the department’s use of any photograph, in film or videotape of the activity in any marketing or promotional materials. I further understand that Parks and Recreation classes are to be enjoyed by all from youth through adults. Participants that continually disrupt the class and/or program experience for others will be asked to withdraw from the class and/or program with expectation of a refund, if applicable, for the balance of the class/and or program.

Field Closures Status

All fields in the City are closed until the snow melts naturally. Grass fields will remain closed until the fields are dry enough to play. Turf fields will open as soon as the snow melts. For field closings call 703.385.7976 Monday-Friday after 2pm and Weekends after 7am.

Grass fields are closed for the winter (December through February)

Gym Cancellations

The City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department follows Fairfax County Procedures and Policies for gym closures. The City of Fairfax is closed on all government holidays. Call 703.324.5264 or 703.385.7976 for status.

Below is the link to Fairfax County Procedures and Policies for gym closures.

 http://www.fcps.edu/news/emerg.shtml

The City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to developing and maintaining beautiful, safe and environmentally friendly open spaces for the public to use and enjoy.

Through affordable, comprehensive and amazing experiences, we build a sense of community, enrich people’s lives and contribute to total development of the individual, family, and the City of Fairfax.

We excel to meet the needs of our customers and residents and the needs of the City of Fairfax through activities, special events, cultural arts and parks that are representative of the best practices of our profession.

PURPOSE:

To help insure participant satisfaction and safety, the City requests participants and staff to follow a common set of rules for courteous behavior. All participants in registered programs must sign the Assumption of Risk waiver provided on the registration form, online or in office. For drop-in programs, participants must sign the waiver at the start of each class each day/time the activity is conducted. Upon signing the waiver, participants acknowledge they have read and agreed with the code of conduct, posted rules; and acknowledge the consequences should they not be complied with.

 

CODE OF CONDUCT:

Spectators and participants are asked to please observe the following:

• Respect the rights and privileges of all persons at all times.
• In case of emergency, dial 911.
• Comply with requests from officials, staff and program facilitators/instructors.
• Comply with any rules of the program, event or class and the rules of the facility where the program, event or class is being instructed.
• Refrain from conduct that disrupts or obstructs any program, event or class. This includes rudeness to others and argumentative behavior.
• Refrain from any lewd, obscene or indecent conduct or expression, including profanity, harassment, discrimination, threats or offensive remarks.
• Refrain from any action which in the judgment of any staff, instructor or facilitator, constitutes an attempt to inflict, or the actual infliction of, or injury to other participants and/or staff.
• Destruction or damage, to a City of Fairfax facility or one of its facility partners or theft of any property is not acceptable.
• Anything found at the facility that does not belong to you, should be left where it is unless you have been told by staff, instructor or facilitator to take it.
• Smoking is not permitted in any indoor facility.
• Possession or use of a weapon or explosive devices is not allowed.
• Selling, possessing or use of illegal drugs or alcohol is not allowed.

ENFORCEMENT:

The above Code of Conduct will be enforced by the City of Fairfax staff, instructors and facilitators. The following program of corrective actions will be in effect for offenders:

Violations of the code that do not constitute an immediate and apparent threat to the safety of others or their property will result in all or some of the following actions including, but not limited to:

• A verbal warning
• A suspension of the right to participate in the activity for a period of time
• A permanent suspension from the program for failure to correct behavior for repeat violations of this code.

Violations of the code that are deemed to constitute an immediate or implied threat to the safety of others or their property may result in a temporary or permanent suspension from the program or facility/property.

The circumstances and severity of the incident as determined by the Parks and Recreation Director or designated staff will determine the length of suspension. 

In extreme cases, if deemed necessary, Police enforcement will be called.

I. INTRODUCTION

An overarching goal for the City of Fairfax is to develop a distinctive sense of place, both physically and culturally.  To that end, the City must mix its diverse and attractive physical spaces with rich and varied cultural and educational experiences.  This goal can be achieved in part by promoting a robust public art program.  Through such a program, the City will be able to maintain, foster, and enhance its unique character.  Public art will help attract new residents and businesses.

Public art and architecture can serve as a cultural gateway to the City, enlivening its streetscapes while increasing its local and national identity as a residential, historical, and economic destination. Well-placed works of art help introduce the City to those who visit it and its businesses.  Public art serves as a marker for a particular business, intersection, street, or building.  For Fairfax residents, art adds to their quality of life as they go about their daily routines. 

For businesses looking for a place to locate, public art tells them that the City promotes a high level of sophistication, which attracts the types of individuals with whom it would be profitable to do business. Thus public art stimulates economic growth.  It is a good investment for the City, and has relatively low overhead and staffing costs.

Public art helps carry out the mandate for the City’s Commission on the Arts “to encourage, promote and to provide opportunity for artistic expression within our City.” To this end the City Council in 1992 passed Resolution No. R-92-43, which states that the mission of the Commission on the Arts should be to serve as:         

            1.  “An arts facilitator, creating liaisons with and providing support to arts organizations”

            2.  “An arts steward by fostering the development and enjoyment of the arts in our community”           

  3.  “An arts funds administrator, receiving and allocating City funds and funds from other sources   for purposes of artistic encouragement ”

            4.  “An information clearing house on artistic activity within and  around the City of Fairfax.”

II. DEFINITIONS

Public art is defined as works of art in all artistic disciplines and media that are visually and physically accessible to the public within the City for the benefit of residents and visitors. 

Public art projects are defined as:

            1.  Projects initiated by the City and its entities,        

            2.  Projects generating out of developments authorized by the City Council through a special land use    approval process.

            3.  Projects initiated by community groups, neighborhood associations, or individuals, which may or may not involve funding from the City.

The Public Art Committee is made up of members of the Commission on the Arts and Community Stakeholders, and reports to that body.

III. MISSION

 The mission of the public art program is to enrich the City’s visual landscape with works of art and to support quality artistic opportunities for the residents and visitors to experience and enjoy.

IV. VISION

The vision of the public art program is to enhance the identity, livability and economic life of the City as an arts destination for its residents and visitors.

V. GOALS

The goal of the public art program is to assist the City in building a collection of public art, which will:

 

1.  Create a more pleasing living environment for residents and visitors.

2.  Create a more unique image for the City within the metropolitan area.

3.  Reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the City.

4.  Reflect the character of the City from its origins to the present. 

5.  Create an artistic environment that will encourage economic  opportunities within the City.

VI. SUPPORT AND FUNDING FOR A PUBLIC ART PROGRAM

Public art must be encouraged and financially supported by both the public and private sectors. 

1.  Working with City of Fairfax representatives, the Commission on the Arts and its Public Art Committee will encourage the following groups to contribute works of art at appropriate locations within the City. 

                  a. Businesses and Developers

                  b. Public and Private Groups

                  c. Residential Communities

                  d. Schools

                  e. Non-Profits

                  f. Individuals

2.  The Commission on the Arts will work with the following City boards,  commissions, committees, and departments to fulfill its goals:

1. Planning & Community Development
   • Planning Commission
   • Board of Architectural Review
   • Board of Zoning Appeals
   • Environmental Sustainability Committee.
2. Public Works
   • Community Appearance Committee
3. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
4. Historic Fairfax City Inc.
5. City of Fairfax School Board
6. Economic Development Authority

 

3.  The Public Art Committee will coordinate with ongoing City initiatives, such as the Fairfax Boulevard Master Plan, Old Town Redevelopment, etc. to help make public art a component in these plans.

4.   The City should strive to incorporate art into any new municipal building and/or its grounds or a major renovation/expansion of a current municipal building and incorporate funding for this act in the financing of these capital projects.

5.  The City should strive to allocate a percentage of its capital improvement budget to support public art in City spaces, including parks and recreation areas.

 

6.  The City should encourage a public art component for all public and private development projects.

7.  In addition to direct City funding, other sources for public art funding will be non-City public and private funds, including individuals, businesses, organizations, and grants.

8.  Any non-City capital improvement funding will be placed in the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts Foundation 501(c) 3 account as a separate line-item public arts fund to support public art projects. 

VII. IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Commission on the Arts and City staff will develop guidelines to implement the public art policy including the process of public art selection, the implementation of arts projects, and the selection of site              placements within the City.  The City Manager, the City Attorney, and the  Mayor and City Council will approve these guidelines.  Such guidelines will require City Council approval.

2. The Public Art Committee, with additional stakeholders as appropriate, will act as the public art selection committee.  

3.  Public art selection may include open competition, invitational competition or direct purchase.

4.  Potential gifts of art to the City will be considered by the Public Art Committee, and then taken to the Commission on the Arts for final consideration.

5.  Works of art will be selected with consideration for the durability of the artwork, future maintenance concerns, and budget impact on the City.

6.  Working with the City, the Commission on the Arts will help identify suitable sites for public art projects.  The selection of a site for any public art in the City will be subject to appropriate City department and City Council approval in advance of any contract execution to purchase such art works.

7.   The Commission on the Arts will advise the City on art projects to be located on site plans by private businesses, and on site locations initiated  by community associations and other community groups. It will review proposals, suggestions and locations for public art, and make  recommendations to the City.        

8.  The City will own, insure, inspect, and maintain public art on City property. On private property the specifics will be spelled out in a mutually agreed contract between the City and the property owner.

9.  Conservation of public art will incorporate the standards published by the  American Institute for Conservation (AIC) to the fullest extent possible.

10.  The Commission on the Arts will submit a report to the Mayor and City Council outlining the justification for the art, the choice of a site, and the selection process for all public art acquisitions

 

VIII. MARKETING AND PUBLIC OUTREACH

1.  The Public Art Committee, as an arm of the Commission on the Arts, will document and maintain an inventory of public art within the City.

2.  The Public Art Committee will undertake a public outreach program to advertise and promote public art through activities, email lists, the local media, as well as the City’s website and publications.

3.  City public events should involve a public art component.

4.  The Public Art Committee will work with schools to help them display student art in public places.

Please see the 'Rental Venues' page for policies of each venue.